Actor Abbas on Happy Raj, multi-starrers, comeback to films: I enjoy doing solo projects but haven't received good scripts back then | EXCLUSIVE

Actor Abbas who had left acting and moved to New Zealand, is now making a comeback with Happy Raj as he talks about the life and time in between, shedding his chocolate boy image and more

Abbas returns to Tamil cinema with Happy Raj

You must have seen him in Kathir's love triangle drama Kadhal Desam as the one who gets the girl, or multi-starrers like Padayappa and Pammal K Samandham where he shared screen space with stalwarts Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan respectively. Or even in Kandukondain Kandukondain where he paired up with Aishwarya Rai and not to forget being the real Rajesh from the US in Minnale. Actor Abbas who had been part of all the above-mentioned roles, later quietly moved out of the film industry, building and leading a calmer life in New Zealand. But his calling for acting has made Abbas come back to Tamil cinema after more than a decade. The seasoned actor will be playing a prominent supporting role in the upcoming romantic comedy drama Happy Raj, slated for March 27 release. Its not just a coincidence if we mention Abbas once again plays Rajesh from the US, only that he is the father of Sri Gouri Priya’s Kavya, the love interest of the titular character essayed by GV Prakash Kumar.

Abbas Interview: What is it like coming back to Tamil cinema after 11 years?

It is after 11 years Abbas is coming back to Tamil cinema with Happy Raj. In conversation with OTTplay, the actor talks about how life has been in this time and what really made him to come back at this point with Happy Raj. “Life in the past 11 years has been eventful; of learning soul searching and finding myself, reinventing myself, adapting to challenges as a normal person; were amazing. Well, after 11 years my creative side was calling out for me to go back to my passion of acting hence I chose to listen to my heart and came back with Happy Raj. It was a perfect combination of family entertainment and comedy,” the actor says.

Meanwhile, one not ought to forget who Abbas is mainly associated with his charming looks and was called as heartthrob and chocolate boy, during his younger days. Has he ever felt constrained by such labels and tags that didn’t let people see you beyond looks? He answers, “I guess at the time I started I fitted into those kinds of roles and may not have been an appropriate choice for more matured roles. Now the time is right, with the amazing scripts and where cinema has moved to its exciting phase as an actor for me.”

Also read: Happy Raj movie 2026: Release date, plot, OTT platform; All about GV Prakash’s romantic comedy drama

How has New Zealand enriched Abbas’s life?

While actors are often believed to live in a bubble that often are consumed by their starry image, thanks to the public attention and popularity they enjoy, Abbas’ life had taken a detour from such a path when he left India and acting. He moved to New Zealand and began to take up a new line of work. Asked if it has changed the way he looked at art and acting in specific, the actor mentions, “Travelling and living away from the life I was living, was like a fresh oxygen being pumped into your system. Made me to lead a normal life and spend valuable time with my family and kids were growing, I hadn’t spent much time with them back in India due to work timings. This was a perfect move towards it. It has changed me I have evolved in my own ways to grow into a better version each day.”

But how was it when he had to face the camera after several years, for Happy Raj. Was it the same feeling when you did the first shot for Kadhal Desam? Almost yes, Abbas’ answer suggests as he says that it was overwhelming and did not know what to expect after so many years. “It was like when one learns to ride a bicycle and gets back to it after 11 years. Same way one my very first day for Kadhal Desam was nervousness and excitement not knowing what to expect,” he adds.

Abbas who now shuttles between New Zealand and India, thinks that his worldly views have also shaped him to be different both as actor and person. “Yes, when in New Zealand, I try and represent India in the best possible way with my work ethics vs the misconception. When back in India, I try and share the small meaningful gestures I picked up in New Zealand to smile and greet others when driving my car and give way to diffuse road rage.”

Also read: Happy Raj gets glorious early reviews, ‘paisa-vasool entertainer’; GV Prakash finally makes comeback as actor?

What is it like doing multi-starrers?

If there is a pattern to Abbas’ previous films and Happy Raj, then it is them being multi-starrers. Some of his films like Pammal K. Sambandam, Kandukondain Kandukondain, Suyamvaram, Padayappa, have all been such, while films like Kadhal Desam, Minnale thread on dual hero subjects. Did it show how he had placed characters over its screen time and importance. Was that always his intention? “Not been my intention. As a kid I’ve been drawn to multi-starrers growing up, maybe that could have been in my sub conscious to do some. I do enjoy doing solo projects but haven’t received good scripts the kind I wanted to do back then. Maybe now there might be some good ones coming my way soon.”

Concluding the conversation with Happy Raj, when asked if we are going to see something new from Abbas that we haven’t before, the actor confirms so and adds, “Not the chocolate boy resemblance for sure. Something serious and grey shades are what I’m look forward to. Also to play more age-oriented roles and cater to more realistic scripts keeping current scenarios, family relationships, single parent etc.”

Abbas is also part of the recently announced Prime Video series Exam, which also marks his OTT debut. While it is too early to speak, he says, the actor adds that it has been an interesting journey and learning doing OTT.

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